In front 25,000 at Citi Field on Friday night, the Washington Nationals fell to the New York Mets 4-3 in a comeback effort that fell just short of a winning mark.

The Mets got things started in the bottom of the first inning, taking advantage of a lead-off single and a hit and walked batter. With the bases loaded and just one out, Travis d’Arnaud doubled to clear the bases. On the play, Lucas Duda appeared to have been thrown out at home, but catcher Wilson Ramos (1-for-4, RBI) couldn’t hang on to the baseball. [Read more…]

The Washington Nationals bullpen as a unit are having a fantastic season in support of their more acclaimed starting rotation brethren. While the actual ranks differ by which all-encompssing statistic you prefer to use—the bullpen ranks tied for second in MLB with 2.8 wins above replacement (WAR) and fourth in RE24 at 27.53—the overall sentiment that the team’s relief corps is among the best in the business is not lost without the statistical confirmation.

It hasn’t been a smooth ride throughout the course of the season overall, with the likes of ever-dependable setup man Tyler Clippard and immensely talented former starter Ross Detwiler taking their lumps in the form of blown leads and inherited runners scoring. Yet, these shaky outings have been countered and exceeded by the efforts of Drew Storen, Rafael Soriano, and rookie Aaron Barrett, among others, and has kept the bullpen ledger in the black and the team in whispering distance of first place in the NL East.

Looking further at the polarizing outings of Clippard led me to come to this particular stat last week:

That was the 13th 1-2-3 inning for Clippard this season out of 28 1 IP appearances. 16 of his 34 appearances he’s faced the minimum.

With the polarizing outings of Clippard to go along with the some similar clean outings by polarizing personality of Soriano, the Nats have a pair of relievers that face the minimum number of hitters half of their outings, which goes a long way to accruing the WAR and RE24 values the bullpen has thus far. It also speaks to how efficient the guys in the ‘pen are in getting hitters out and preventing the big inning for the opposing team. Do the rest of the Nats relievers follow suit and could this ability to keep additional runners (and potential runs) at bay be a reason for the success of 2014 from a group that hasn’t changed much in terms of roster from last year’s staff that finished 18th and 20th in MLB in WAR and RE24, respectively?

First, let’s outline what bullpen efficiency means. Efficiency is essentially how many batters a pitcher faces over the number that was expected from an outing. From there, we will also look at ‘clean outings’, where a pitcher faces the minimum number of batters for a given outing, with game situation considered. The fewer batters faced over the minimum, the better, as this obviously keeps runners off the base paths.

Let’s look at some data.

Name

G

IP

xIP

IP, Diff

TBF

xBF

BF, Diff

Efficiency(%)

AppClean/Pct.

RE24

Aaron Barrett

28

25.2

26.2

1

108

77

31

59.74

13/46.4%

2.77

Craig Stammen

22

38.1

39

0.2

152

115

37

67.83

6/27.3%

6.72

Drew Storen

29

24.1

26.2

2.1

93

73

20

72.80

16/55.2%

5.94

Jerry Blevins

33

27

29.1

2.1

116

81

35

56.80

16/48.5%

2.82

Rafael Soriano

31

31

31

0

114

93

21

77.42

17/54.8%

9.83

Ross Detwiler

20

29

31.2

2.2

137

87

50

42.53

4/20%

-7.08

Tyler Clippard

37

34

36.1

2.1

137

102

35

65.70

19/51.4%

2.11

The table above is a little busy, but the explanations of the various columns are very straightforward and on the lighter side, mathematically. Aside from the standard games, innings pitched, and RE24 values, we also have a couple of variables that were calculated to help capture efficiency.

The first of these is expected innings pitched (xIP), which is the number of inning pitched that were expected from a pitcher, with game and outing specific information included. For example, if a pitcher has an outing where he pitched 0.2 IP, he could have an xIP of 0.2 if he came in relief with one out in the inning—he was only expected to get the other two outs to complete the inning.

Conversely, he could have a xIP of 1, but failed to get the third out of the inning before being pulled. Calculating xIP and confirming game situations was dine using game log data from Baseball Reference. Total batters faced (TBF) is simply that and expected batters faced (xBF) is calculated similar to xIP, with game situation taken into account. With xIP and xBF, care was taken with the Nats bullpen members who are more situational relivers, in particular, Jerry Blevins, to account for how they were pulled.

If they left an outing due to poor performance with runs scored or runners put in scoring position, then they were allotted the full inning of work expected and the batters faced. If they were pulled due to situation—bringing in Blevins to face a tough lefty, for example—then a full inning pitched was not assumed. Differences between actual performance and expected data re capture with the ‘Diff’ categories. From the game log data also comes the clean outing data (AppClean/Pct.), where the number of clean outings specific to game situation were tallied, with percentages also provided for comparison.

With the variables exhaustively described, let’s talk results. Not surprisingly, the Big Three of the Nats bullpen—Clippard, Soriano, and Storen—lead the way in clean outings, with Soriano and Storen also showing the most efficiency in terms of batters faced over the minimum (BF, Diff.). Percent efficiency was calculated by taking the percentage difference between xBF and TBF and then subtracting this value from 100 and again shows how well both Soriano and Storen have been, not only in terms of performance, but in terms of being economical.

Not to be forgotten are the performances of Barrett and long man Craig Stammen, who both show a high rate of efficiency, despite subpar clean appearance numbers. Despite some encouraging recent outings, a very rough start to the season skews Ross Detwiler’s numbers greatly and shows a propensity for big innings and difficulties in keeping hitters off of the base paths.

Does this idea of efficiency trend with performance?

In our very small sample, it indeed does, as the above graph of RE24 by number of batter faced of the minimum (BF, Diff in our table above) shows. As the number of extra hitters faced rises, RE24 drops, which makes this a negative correlation with a very strong R-squared of 0.72, providing us confirmation of good fit of the data. However, with seven data points, it would be very unwise to make any grand inferences out of these results. Despite this, we do see an interesting aspect of the bullpen’s success that doesn’t necessarily show up in the box score or in the formulas of the numerous advanced metrics available—not only are they keeping runs off of the scoreboard, they’re doing so in tidy fashion.

Stuart Wallace is a Contributor to District Sports Page. A neuroscientist by day, the Nevada native also moonlights as an Associate Managing Editor for Beyond the Box Score, stats intern at Baseball Prospectus, and a contributor at Camden Depot. A former pitcher, his brief career is sadly highlighted by giving up a lot of home runs to former National Johnny Estrada. You can follow him on Twitter @TClippardsSpecs.

After a forgetful 1-3 road trip to Pittsburgh to play the Pirates, the Washington Nationals now return home for a three-game stint against the Miami Marlins. Here’s your complete series preview. [Read more…]

As part of the online-only media that covers the Washington Nationals, in addition to press box and press conference access, District Sports Page is granted access to the clubhouse one day each month. Wednesday was the day for April. We caught up with Nats rookie reliever Aaron Barrett and talked with him about his Major League debut, being up and down to and from the minors in the early season, the attention he’s getting in the national media, and how he’s fitting in with the other members of the bullpen and the clubhouse in general.

On being up and down in the first few weeks of the season: “It’s just kind of part of the game. I can’t really control it, but we needed a fresh arm. So it was just one of those things where they brought Blake Treinen in, he’s a starter, he was able to get our bullpen back to where we needed to get and at the same time, I go down for ten days, get my work in and I’m just glad they were able to call me back up.

On manager Matt Williams willing to use him anywhere from sixth to ninth innings: “It definitely gives me confidence. But knowing that, it doesn’t matter what the score is, what inning it is for me, as a player I just know that my job is to go get guys out. Whether we’re up, whether we’re down, whether it’s the sixth, whether it’s the ninth, whatever inning, whatever situation, my job is to control what I can control and get guys out and everything else, it is what it is.”

On making opening day roster: “It was awesome. It’s everything that you worked for, for that moment. Honestly, in my mind I pictured myself getting the call-up through the year, middle of the year or whatever, so I never really envisioned myself making the team out of Spring Training would be basically my call-up. It’s great. It’s a blessing knowing that all the hard work has paid off. And I’m just really happy to be here.”

On having his family at Citifield for opening day: “My wife. Her mom and then my parents and my brother. They all came and they got to see me pitch. It was just a very surreal experience. It was really awesome.”

On his debut performance itself: “I was warming up in, I think it was the seventh inning, we were losing 4-2 initially, so I was going to get my debut we were losing by two runs. And then we tied it up and I’m sitting there in the bullpen and starting to thing, ‘I still might get a shot.’ So it was a tie game and there were some righties coming up, so I think Skip had confidence with some righties coming up it didn’t matter and I’m just glad that I was able to take some deep breaths and really embrace it all. Ian Desmond and Adam LaRoche made sure they came out and made sure I enjoyed that Opening Day and that first experience in the big leagues and that was just a moment I’ll never forget.”

On National media speculating he’ll close in the big leagues some day: “I mean, not really. I try not to focus too much on that. I mean, that’s way down the road in the future. We’ve got a great closer right now in Soriano and he’s been doing it a long, long time. I did it in the minor leagues, which I think has helped me prepare for Major League hitters, but right now my focus is to get guys out. I’m not really worried about that type of stuff. Yeah, it’s great that they would consider that, but I focus on the present moment and just try to get better every day.”

On input from Soriano: “I was chatting with him yesterday. We were just talking about situations, you know, ‘don’t let the best hitter beat you’, just stuff like that. If there’s a base open and you’re facing the three-hole guy, you just gotta be smart; pick who you want to talk to. So far, [Soriano]’s helped me a lot. And the whole bullpen really has too. Just situation-wise, what type of hitters, what to throw in what counts. So everyone in the whole bullpen has been very knowledgeable and very helpful for me transitioning from the minors to here. So that’s been great.”

On the different personalities in the pen: “We have a good time, but at the same time we know when to lock it in. We like to look at the hitters and see how the game’s going. The starters during the game give us a good idea of what pitches to work in what counts. I think everyone in the bullpen has at least four years service time on me, so that helps me a whole lot. They’ve been just tremendous as far as helping me transition. Not only on the field, but off the field as well. It’s great to be here with them. It’s a great clubhouse. Hopefully we can keep it rolling.”

On difference in perspective between former starters and long time short relievers: “Starting and reliever is just so different. As a starter, you’re facing these hitters three or four times through the lineup, so you have to have a certain strategy. When you’re coming in as a reliever you might face that guy one time so you gotta have your best stuff — that pitch — and it’s more high-intensity. So it’s just a little bit different, but at the same time as a starter and reliever, either way, you’re going out there and you’re attacking the hitters.”

As a whole, the Washington Nationals return mostly intact from the teams that won 98 games in 2012 and 86 games in 2013. This is a veteran team with high aspirations of competing in the World Series. I hardly think rookie manager Matt Williams will boldly proclaim “World Series or Bust” as his predecessor did, but the implications are there.

If the team overachieved in ’12 and underachieved last season, what is the logical progression for 2014? If the ’12 and ‘13 results had been flipped, I think everyone would be riding the Nats as an odd-on favorite this season. They may be anyway.

With a rotation as solid No. 1 through No. 4 as any in baseball, a deep bullpen, an infield full of silver sluggers and a versatile outfield led by a burgeoning superstar, the Washington Nationals seem poised to make noise this season on a national level.

For the next two weeks, District Sports Page will preview the Washington Nationals 2014 season. This week, we’ll do profiles of the players on the 40-man roster and significant non-roster invitees, players that have a chance to make an impact on the Nats roster this season.

In week two, we’ll profile the manager and front office, reveal our Top-25 minor leaguers and prospects, examine the “big picture” the Nats this season, and do a little statistical analysis and projecting.

THE BULLPEN

Rafael Soriano, RHP: The saves were there last year, the elite skills were not. Soriano’s ERA and WHIP were their highest in any season he’s been a team’s top closer. On top of that, his K rate went down precipitously as he transitioned from a pitcher with a slider out pitch to a fastball pitcher, one who’s lost velocity each of the past four seasons. He lowered his walk rate, which obviously is good, but his hit rate jumped. His ground ball rate has dropped the past three seasons as his line drive and fly ball rates have risen, more evidence of him abandoning anything but the fastball. If the walk rate goes back to his normal seasonal allowance, he could be in a world of trouble. As it is, the velocity and strikeout rate drops are a big warning sign for a 34-year-old pitcher who hates not closing.

Tyler Clippard, RHP: Clippard turned in another exceptional season for the Nats with a 2.41 ERA and ridiculous 0.859 WHIP. All was bolstered by an incredibly unsustainable 4.7 H/9 rate and .172 BABiP, which completely mirrored his 2011 All-Star campaign. Those types of numbers are just unheard of, so he’s unlikely to repeat them, but he’s a funky pitcher. He succeeds with high fastballs and a changeup that almost impossible to identify out of his unusual and, frankly, weird delivery. The strikeout and ground ball rates were down just a tick but not alarmingly so. Clippard should be just fine in his established role. The big thing to worry about him is the price tag. He avoided arbitration by signing a one-year, $5.88 million contract and he isn’t a free agent until after 2016, so the price tags is just going to keep going up. That’s a lot for a non-closer reliever — albeit one of the best in the game.

Drew Storen, RHP: Oh boy. Where do we start? Storen was fairly terrible in the first half, pitching to a 5.95 ERA, fueled by a .355 BABiP and outrageously high hit rate. The walks were fine, the Ks were fine, he was just simply unlucky as to balls finding their way into green space. He was sent to the minors on July 26 after wearing a the final inning of an 11-0 drubbing by the Mets on a day that he ran a 103 degree fever. When he came back Aug. 16, he was the same old Storen. Well, not really. He ditched the silly straight leg kick for a more conventional one that allowed him to have a more consistent delivery, but the results were more attributable to normalization. He held batters to a .200/.263/.214 line upon his return.

Jerry Blevins, LHP: Obtained from the A’s for Minor League Player of the Year Billy Burns, Blevins is more than a typical lefty specialist — he actually owned better numbers against righties than lefties last season. Overall, a 3.15 ERA and 1.067 WHIP were solid. He has a four-pitch repertoire and faced four or more batters in more than half of his appearance last season. Blevins won’t overwhelm with his fastball, and his K rates will keep him in a set up or LOOGY role, but he knows how to pitch. Has improved his walk rate each of the past three seasons.

Xavier Cedeno, LHP: Want the good news? Cedeno enjoyed his career year last season at age 26, earning a 1.50 ERA and 1.000 WHIP for the Nats. He struck out 9 per nine innings and walked just 1.5. Want the bad news? He also suffered his worst season as a big leaguer last year, as he allowed 11 runs (eight earned) in 6.1 innings for Houston before they cut him in April. Am I being dramatic? You betcha. But Cedeno’s numbers for the Nats came in just 6.0 over 11 games. Against lefties, Cedeno provided a .231/.333/.269 slash. Against righties, that jumped to .391/.517/.522. Granted, we’re talking 29 and 31 plate appearances here. Call me skeptical, but I just don’t see Cedeno coming anywhere near approaching his numbers for the Nats last season again. He’s not a kid, and nothing in his history indicates this was anything more than a couple of good appearances in a row against limited competition.

Craig Stammen, RHP: Stammen could start for half the teams in baseball. His stuff is that good. All his peripherals continue to go in the right direction and his traditional numbers are solid across the board. Is this a pitcher that has found his spot? Or are the Nats hiding a gem, either intentionally or not. Either way, Stammen has proven to be an absolutely invaluable arm in the long role that he’s occupied the past two season for the team. His walk rate dropped by 0.7 this year over last — if that holds, he should earn higher leverage late innings if Clippard gets too expensive.

Ryan Mattheus, RHP: On the other hand… Mattheus was unlucky, sure. His BABiP of .405 screams it. But look at the rest. Rising walk rate. K rate less than 6 per nine. Lost velocity on his sinker. Punching a locker, breaking his hand and being completely and utterly lost once he returned. The hit rate is going to stabilize somewhat, but how much is luck and how much is just erosion of skill? He’s 30, not a youngster that needs to figure things out. He needs to prove health and competence or there are plenty of arms that will push him out of a job.

Josh Roenicke, RHP: Roenicke is famous for being the son of former Baltimore Orioles outfielder Gary Roenicke and also being Ian Desmond’s brother-in-law. Roenicke the pitcher, however, is mediocre at best. He was brought in as an NRI and will provide depth in Syracuse most likely. He walks way too many (5.2 per nine in 62 IP last season) without the high K rate (just 6.5/9) that allows you live with it.

Erik Davis, RHP: Davis made his MLB debut last season at age 26, compiling a 1-0 record, 3.12 ERA and 1.269 WHIP in 8.2 innings, striking out 12 while walking just one. This was after going 3-7 with 15 saves, 3.10 ERA and 1.433 WHIP in AAA, so small sample caveats abound. Davis was slated to compete for a role in this year’s pen, but was placed on the 60-day D.L. with an “elbow strain” on the same day the Nats traded for Jose Lobaton. It’s quite possible he never throws a pitch to Lobaton.

Christian Garcia, RHP: “If only Garcia could stay healthy…” Any Nats fan that knows more than just Bryce Harper and Stephen Strasburg will cite Garcia as their secret weapon. He’s got the stuff, he knows how to pitch, and he’s still young enough (27) that he could impact the MLB roster. Unfortunately, that part of staying healthy just keeps eluding Garcia. He’s already had two Tommy John’s while he was property of the Yankees and last season he was limited to 13.1 innings in the minors after suffering a torn wrist tendon, which triggered shoulder soreness and hamstring injuries. He owns four quality MLB pitches, he just needs to get on a mound to show them off. Problem is, he can’t.

Manny Delcarmen, RHP: Delcarmen, 32, hasn’t pitched in the big leagues since 2010 with the Rockies. Why is he here? Well, he’s always had good stuff and has had several full seasons of downright goodness at the big league level. In 07-08 with the Red Sox he was a quality righty in their pen and some thought he had closer written all over him. Problem is, his walk rate was always high and got higher the older he got and his K rate plummeted after he hit 27. When he should have been in the peak of his career, he busted. Read into that however you want. Last year in AAA, he went 3-3 with a 2.83 ERA and 1.222 WHIP in 54 innings, so there might be something left. At the triple-A level, anyway.

Aaron Barrett, RHP: Barrett was drafted four times: by the Dodgers in the 44th round of the ’06 draft, by the Twins in the 20th round in ’08, by Texas in the 27th round in ’09 and finally by the Nats in the 9th round in 2010 after his eligibility ended for the University of Mississippi. Barrett, at age 25, dominated AA last year for Harrisburg, going 1-1 with a 2.15 ERA and 1.093 WHIP, 2.7 BB/9 and outrageous 12.3 K/9. In fact, in 149.2 IP in his minor league career, Barrett owns a 12.0 K/9 rate. He does this all with an average fastball, but a slider that Baseball America deemed best in the Nats’ system. At 6’4″, 215 he has a big league build. He needs to pitch against players his own age this year but his arm is definitely intriguing.

Clay Hensley, RHP: Hensley is a slight (5’11”, 190) righty that for the past few seasons has been able to fool enough batters to keep getting chances in the big leagues. But at 33 now, he’s running out of gas. Last season for San Francisco in 50.2 IP he walked 5.3 per nine and his ERA (4.62) showed it. Coupled with a 5.19 ERA for Florida in ’12, Hensley’s hanging on to the end of his rope.

Welcome back to District Sports Page’s weekly Minor League Update. Throughout the regular season we will continue to post up-to-date stats and brief scouting reports on the hottest and coldest prospects in the Nationals’ minor league system. We also will track the progress of top-rated players in this columb, and give injury and suspension updates.

Here are some of the system’s notable performances from the first week of May:

PAIR OF P-NATS PROSPECTS TO SHINE IN ARIZONA FALL LEAGUE’S RISING STARS GAME
P-Nats 3B Anthony Rendon and RHP Aaron Barrett set for national stage in the desert

Woodbridge, VA—Perhaps the most efficient barometer in determining the playing career projections of Major League Baseball’s most esteemed prospects is the nationally televised Arizona Fall League Rising Stars Game. Since the annual blue chip showdown was initiated for baseball’s most polished prospects in 2006, a whopping 72.6 percent of the contest’s participants graduated to The Show. With almost three out of four prospects within this supreme talent pool accruing time in MLB, the 2012 AFL Rising Stars Game certainly provides a glimpse of the bright big league futures for the desert’s cream of the crop.

A pair of Potomac Nationals standouts and three Washington Nationals farmhands in all, who wear the uniform of the AFL’s Salt River Rafters, are set to make appearances on Saturday night in a ballgame that will definitely radiate the ambiance of a souped-up all-star prospect classic. Third baseman Anthony Rendon (1st Rd, No. 6 Overall, 2011), right-handed pitcher Aaron Barrett (9th Rd, 2010), and outfielder Brian Goodwin (Supplemental 1st Rd, No. 34 Overall, 2011) were chosen to compete by invitation only in the all-star game wrapped in an all-star league.

Among the best of the best, Rendon, 22, and Barrett, 24, both spent time with Potomac during the 2012 season, while Goodwin made the springboard jump from Class-A Hagerstown to Double-A Harrisburg. Amidst an injury plagued season, Rendon played well in limited action hitting .333 to complement five extra base hits and 17 total bases in just nine games with the P-Nats. Barrett was lights out in relief for the Potomac bullpen as he maintained a 1.06 ERA in 11 appearances, striking out 21 batters in 17.0 IP, and earning one save. Goodwin, who celebrates his 22nd birthday on the eve of the Rising Stars Game, hit .280 in 100 games over two Minor League levels, collecting 107 hits, 26 doubles, 14 home runs, 52 runs batted in, and 18 stolen bases in 25 attempts.

ABOUT THE ARIZONA FALL LEAGUE
There are six teams in the Arizona Fall League: the Scottsdale Scorpions, Mesa Solar Sox, Salt City Rafters, Phoenix Desert Dogs, Peoria Javelinas and Surprise Saguaros. These club names were picked by Major League Baseball as reflective of the Southwestern desert traditions in the state.

The teams are broken into two divisions, East and West. Each Major League Baseball team sends six top prospects to the Arizona Fall League, 180 players in all. The games are played in the Spring Training stadiums used by the Giants, Mariners, Padres, Cubs, A’s, Royals, Rangers, D-backs and Rockies.

How good are the players in the Arizona Fall League? The 2011 All-Star Game in Arizona featured 41 AFL alums, including both starting pitchers — Roy Halladay and Jered Weaver.

Each August, Major League clubs hold a position draft to determine the players who will go to Arizona. Most are Double-A and Triple-A Minor League players. Each club can opt to send one player considered a Class A player.

Renew your P-Nats season tickets at Pfitzner Stadium for only $50 per seat. Five-game Pick ‘em Packs start at just $55 per seat. Sponsorship opportunities for the ‘13 season are now available. Plan your corporate outing now in preparation for next season as the P-Nats offer discounted group rates and all-inclusive picnic options. Visit the P-Nats online at www.potomacnationals.com or call the ticket office at 703-590-2311 for more!

Matt Skole Leads List of Four Suns Voted as 2012 All-Stars Suns Manager Brian Daubach elected to serve as a coach for a second consecutive season

Hagerstown, MD – The Hagerstown Suns, in conjunction with the South Atlantic League, today announce that Suns infielder Matt Skole, catcher Adrian Nieto, outfielder Caleb Ramsey, pitcher Aaron Barrett and Manager Brian Daubach have been elected to represent Hagerstown on the Northern Division team at the 53rd Annual SAL All-Star Game to be played on June 19, 2012, at Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park, in Charleston, South Carolina, home of the Charleston RiverDogs.

Skole leads the list of Suns All-Stars having been among league leaders in several offensive categories throughout the season. He is currently batting .294 and ranks second in the league with 12 home runs, while checking in at third in the standings with 53 RBIs. Skole is atop the SAL in walks with 51 in 55 games played, while maintaining the league’s second highest slugging percentage at .441. A true run producer, the Woodstock, GA native has five sacrifice flies this season, first in the SAL.

Skole joined the Suns after an impressive 2011 campaign with Short Season-A Auburn where he led the New York-Penn League in RBIs (48) and doubles (23) while finishing second in extra-base hits (29) and third in total hits (79). He was selected in the fifth-round (157th overall) of the 2011 draft by the Nationals.

Ramsey, an 11th-round pick (337th overall) by the Nationals in 2011, will patrol the outfield as an All-Star. Ramsey has been a .300 hitter for Hagerstown throughout the season (currently .299 BA) while committing just one error in 45 games played. Ramsey is second on the club in hits with 55, including four doubles, four triples, five home runs and 32 RBIs. Ramsey’s consistency at the plate has brought him a seven-game hitting streak, 11 multi-hit games and seven multi-RBI games.

Nieto, a fifth-round pick of the Nationals in 2008, will represent the Northern Division as one of the league’s top offensive catchers. The Cuban-born backstop is currently batting .261 and coming off a season best seven-game hitting streak. Nieto, a switch-hitting catcher, has smacked eight doubles to go along with four home runs and 25 RBIs and is batting .340 versus left-handed pitching.

Barrett has emerged as one the SAL’s top relievers, especially in late game scenarios. Barrett is 3-1 with a 3.05 ERA and leads the Suns with six saves on the season. The Evansville, IN native has held opposing hitters to a .203 batting average while striking out 33 and walking just eight over 20.2 innings pitched. His swing-and-miss stuff has the right-hander fanning nearly 45% of hitters with an official at-bat against him. Barrett was selected in the ninth-round of the 2010 draft by the Nationals.

Daubach has been selected to serve as a coach for the Northern Division squad after managing the team in 2011. Under his guidance, the Suns are currently at their high-water mark, ten games above five hundred (33-23) and in second place in the division. Hagerstown is one of the SAL’s premier offensive clubs, ranking fourth in team batting average (.271), while checking in at second in home runs (54), runs scored (349) and RBIs (332). Patience at the plate has contributed to the Suns’ success in the first half, as they lead the SAL in walks with 265. Hagerstown’s first half highlights include a six-game winning streak from 5/12-5/18 and a 24-2 drubbing of the Rome Braves on 4/25, which stands as the greatest offensive output by a SAL team this season.

Both all-star teams will be represented by 26 players, selected by the votes of the team’s managers and coaching staffs, local media and front office executives. Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park will be hosting its fourth SAL All-Star game. The last time the All-Star Game was held in Charleston was in 2004, when the Southern Division defeated the Northern Division 4-2.. The annual SAL All-Star Game dates to 1960, when the All-Stars defeated the Salisbury club, 6-2, in Newton, NC.

“Once again, the amount of talent that will be showcased in this game will be incredible,” said Krupa. “The expectations of the fans are high, and I believe they will have a fun time during this exciting event. Executive Vice President & General Manager Dave Echols and his staff in Charleston have been working for more than a year to live up to the tradition and host one of the most anticipated events on our baseball calendar.”

A variety of events have been scheduled in Charleston along with the SAL All-Star Game. On Monday, June 18th, batting practice and the preliminary rounds of the Home Run Derby will be held on the deck of the USS Yorktown. On Tuesday, June 19th, there will be an All-Star Luncheon at the Marriott Charleston where the 2012 SAL Hall of Fame members will be inducted. Carolyn McKee, Bill Murray and Joseph P. Riley, Jr. will be honored as members of the class of 2012. New York Yankees General Manager Brian Cashman will be the featured speaker at the All-Star Luncheon. Beginning at 2:30pm at the stadium, the All-Fan Fest will be an opportunity for fans to get autographs from and pictures with the SAL All-Stars. The final round of the Home Run Derby begins at 5:15pm and the first pitch of the 2012 All-Star Game is scheduled at 7:30pm. More information can be found on the website of the Charleston RiverDogs at www.riverdogs.com.

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"Nobody’s got a monopoly on good writing, or the facts. If you can come up with one or the other or (ideally) both, you’re in the club." --Rob Neyer, Feb. 2, 2011